Exercise device

ABSTRACT

An elliptical machine includes a foot link having a portion resting on an angled member such as a ramp secured to a frame. A wheel may mount to the bottom of the foot link and rest on the ramp. An end of the foot link pivotably connects to a sliding link, the other end of which is connected to an angled guide secured to the frame. The sliding link is coupled to a crank rigidly connected to a flywheel. A swinging arm pivotably connects to the frame and has its lower end pivotably connected to swinging arm link. A handle secures to the swinging arm above the point of pivotal securement to the frame. The swinging arm link secures to the sliding link at the same point as the crank.

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 60/668,831 filed Apr. 5, 2005, the contents of which are herebyincorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to exercise devices, particularlyincluding devices that simulate a natural running motion.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Elliptical exercise machines have become a very popular alternative tohigh impact activities such as walking or running. A typical Ellipticalmachine guides the user's feet through an elliptical path such thatimpact on the user's joints is reduced. Dual action elliptical machinesinclude swing arms that link arm motion to the motion of the feet suchthat both lower and upper body can be exercised at the same time.

Inasmuch as elliptical machines are a substitute for walking or runningit is important that the machine imitate as closely as possible themovements involved in these activities in order to properly work themuscles involved. Simulating the actual motion of the user's feet isalso important for the user's comfort and enjoyment. Unnatural andawkward movements encourage injury and cause undue strain. Unnaturalmovement may also make the user feel off-balance or uncomfortable andtherefore discourage use.

Accordingly, it would be an advancement in the art to provide a simpleand effective elliptical machine closely matching the motion of a user'sfeet during normal walking and running.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An elliptical machine includes a foot link having one portion resting onan angled member such as a ramp secured to a frame. A wheel may mount tothe foot link and rest on the ramp. An end of the foot link pivotablyconnects to a sliding link, the other end of which is connected to anangled guide secured to the frame. The sliding link is coupled to acrank attached to a flywheel rotatably mounted to the frame. A secondaryflywheel may be coupled to the frame and be driven by the firstflywheel, such as by means of a belt. A swing arm pivotably connects tothe frame and has its lower end pivotably connected to swinging armlink. A handle secures to the swinging arm above the point of pivotalsecurement to the frame. The swinging arm link secures to the slidinglink at the same point as the crank.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred and alternative embodiments of the present invention aredescribed in detail below with reference to the following drawings.

FIG. 1 is a side view of a preferred exercise apparatus in a firstposition; and,

FIG. 2 is a side view of the apparatus of FIG. 1, in a second position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A preferred embodiment of the exercise device of the present inventionis shown in FIG. 1. The device 10 includes a frame 12 having a base 14and optionally including a plurality of feet 16. As shown, the base 14is substantially horizontal, though it may be angled or take a differentshape. The frame 12 includes a front upright 18 and rear upright 20secured to the base 14 via bolts, welding, or other means. The frame 12includes an intermediate cross-member 22 and upper cross-member 24 thatare secured between the front and rear uprights 18 also via bolts,welding, or other means. Each of the foregoing frame members ispreferably formed from steel or other durable, rigid materials suitablefor use in an exercise device.

The frame members 14-24 described above comprise half of the frame, inthis case the right side half. A duplicate set of frame members isprovided at the left side of the device 10. Although not visible in theside view shown in FIG. 1 additional frame members connect the rightside frame members to the left side frame members. As shown anddescribed, the frame members form a generally rectangular cubic frame.The frame 12 can be constructed in a variety of different embodiments,consistent with this invention, including, for example, curved framemembers to provide a more pleasing aesthetic design. The principalobjectives of the frame 12 are to provide a suitable, stable foundationfor the device, and to provide sturdy locations to connect the variouslinks that generate the exercise motion.

A support member 26 such as a ramp, rail, channel, or the like securesto the frame 12. In the illustrated embodiment the support member 26 isa ramp 28, which preferably includes at least one foot 30 for resting ona support surface. In some embodiments, the ramp 28 has an angle of fromabout 20 to 40 degrees above horizontal. Again, though not visible inthe side view of FIG. 1, the preferred device 10 includes a second ramp28, such that there are two ramps 28, one associated with each foot of auser. It is possible, however, consistent with this invention, to use asingle ramp to support both feet of a user.

The ramp 28 is secured to the frame 12, preferably at the front upright18. In addition, the ramp 28 preferably is adjustably secured to theframe 12 such that the angle of inclination of the ramp 28 can beadjusted by the user. As shown in FIG. 1, the ramp 28 forms an anglethat is approximately 20 degrees above horizontal. In a preferred form,the ramp 28 can be adjusted to form a wide range of angles, including,for example, a horizontal position through a position approximately 45degrees above horizontal. The inclination may be adjusted in severalways. In one embodiment, the ramp 28 is removably attached to the frontupright 18 at one of several pegs 32, slots, or other attachment points.The ramp 28 is then adjusted by removing the ramp 28 and replacing it ata different attachment point. As another alternative, the ramp 28 may beelectro-mechanically adjusted using hydraulics or other means.

A foot link 34 is supported by the support member 26 to cause a portionof the foot link 34 to translate or follow an arcuate path. The footlink 34 may be suspended from the support member 26 or be suppored frombeneat by the support member 26. In the illustrated embodiment the footlink 34 rests atop the ramp 28 and is configured for reciprocatingmotion over the ramp 28. One or more wheels 36 are preferably secured tothe bottom of the foot link 34 to facilitate the sliding reciprocatingmotion. Alternatively, sliding contact between the foot link 34 and theramp 28 may occur. Low friction materials secured to the ramp 28 andfoot link 34 may be used to facilitate sliding. In an alternativeembodiment, the foot link 34 engages the support member 26 embodied as achannel or rail by means of one or more rollers conforming to the railor fitting within the channel. In the preferred form, an intermediatesection of the foot link 34 is generally parallel with the ramp 28,while near a first end 38 the foot link 34 is angled upward slightly sothat it will be relatively close to horizontal in intermediate rampinclinations. Near a second end 40 the foot link 34 is preferably angledsuch that it is parallel to the end 38, as shown in FIG. 1.

Near the first end 38 of the foot link 34 is preferably a platform 42configured to support the foot of a user. The platform 42 may simplycomprise a wide surface sufficient to allow a user to stand on the link34, or may optionally include an attached foot bed with raised walls(not shown) around the perimeter to prevent the foot from slipping offthe link.

Near the second end 40 of the foot link 34 is pivotally attached to asliding link 44. The sliding link 44 has a first end 46 and a second end48, with the sliding link 44 being pivotably attached to the foot link34 near the first end 46. Near the second end 48 of the sliding link 44,the sliding link 44 engages a guide 50 secured to the frame 12. Theguide 50 constrains the sliding link 44 near the second end 48 totranslate along a path, typically a straight path. The guide 50 in theillustrated embodiment slopes downwardly. In some embodiments, the guide50 is adjustable as to angle in order to accommodate variations in gait.Apertures 51 may also be provided such that the guide 50 may be pinnedto the frame 12 at a plurality of heights. The guide 50 in theillustrated embodiment is a channel link 52 secured to the frame 12 andhaving a channel formed therein. The channel link 52 may include a slot53 receiving a bolt or other fastener securing the channel link 52 tothe frame 12. Multiple apertures 55 may be provided on the frame 12 toprovide various points of securement of the channel link 52 to the frame12. The apertures 51 and apertures 55 provide a channel link 52 that isadjustable as to angle. The channel link 52 may also be adjusted as toheight. A wheel 54, or circular retainer, secures near the second end 48of the sliding link 44. The wheel 54 may take the form of a boss, gear,or other configuration suitable to be retained within the channel link52. The channel link 52 has a C-shaped cross-section such that the wheel54 is securely retained within the channel. Because the links 44, 52 arepreferably securely joined to one another, a U-shaped channel may alsobe suitable. When the device 10 is in use, the wheel 54 slides back andforth along the channel for a reciprocating motion. Although onepreferred construction is described above and illustrated, it should beappreciated that the operation of the sliding link 44 within the channellink 52 is essentially the same as that of a reciprocating piston. Thus,in alternate embodiments, a wide variety of shapes and constructiontypes are possible to facilitate the piston-like motion.

Two links 56, 62 are secured to the sliding link 44 at an intermediatelocation. A frame link 56 is pivotally attached near a first end 58 toan intermediate location of the sliding link 44. Near a second end 60,the frame link 56 is pivotably attached to the frame 12, in this case atthe rear upright member 20. A swing arm link 62 is pivotably attachednear a first end 64 to the sliding link 44 at the same intermediatelocation as the frame link 56. Thus, three links are joined together atthe same location.

A swing arm 68 is provided for exercising the upper body. The swing arm68 includes a handle 70 positioned to be gripped by a user. Near a lowerend 72, the swing arm 68 is pivotably secured to the swing arm link 62near the second end 66. The swing arm 68 also pivotally secures to theframe 12, such as the front upright 18, at a point between the handle 70and the lower end 72.

Near the second end 66, the first swing arm link 62 is pivotablyattached to the swing arm 68 near the lower end 72. In an alternateembodiment, the sliding link 44 includes a plurality of attachmentpoints between its ends, such that the frame link 56 and swing arm link62 can be repositioned at a plurality of locations along the slidinglink 44 to alter the motion of the foot link 34.

The handle 70 may be secured to an upper portion 74 of the swing arm 68.The swing arm 68 may include a lower portion 76, separate from the upperportion 74. Either the upper portion 74, the lower portion 76, or bothdirectly pivotably secure to the frame 12. The upper portion 74 mayadjustably secures to the lower portion 76 such that the height of thehandle 70 may be adjusted for users of different sizes. For example, thelower portion 76 of the swing arm 68 may be secured to the frame at afixed position, while the upper portion 74 of the swing arm 68 includesa plurality of holes 77 to allow it to be selectively pinned to thelower portion 76 at a plurality of desired heights. Other means are alsopossible to provide a desired adjustability.

The frame link 56 fixedly secures to an axle 78 rotatably secured to theframe 12. The axle 78 also fixedly secures to the first flywheel 80. Inthis manner, the frame link 56 and axle 78 serve as a crank for spinningthe first flywheel 80. The sliding link 44 therefore eccentricallyengages the first flywheel 80 by connecting frame link 56 near the firstend 58.

A belt 82 connects the first flywheel 80 to a second flywheel 84, whichis also rotatably connected to the frame 12 at a different location, inthis case at the intermediate cross-member 22. The second flywheel 84provides additional inertia to the assembly. Optionally, one or both ofthe first and second flywheels 80, 84 may engage a frictional orelectromagnetic resistance system 86.

One side of the device is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and described above.The opposite side of the device is substantially the same, except thatthe linkages will all be configured such that they are 180 degrees outof phase from the position in the cycle of motion shown in FIG. 1. Inaddition, in typical embodiments, there is not an additional set offlywheels and belts for each side of the device.

The motion of the device and its many linkages can be seen by viewingthe relative position of the linkages in FIG. 2 with respect to thepositions in FIG. 1. In FIG. 1, the foot link 34 is at a rearwardposition, with the platform 42 in a substantially horizontal position(at least, for the ramp when set at the inclination as shown). In thisposition, the swing arm 68 is nearly vertical.

As the user begins use of the device 10, and urges the right footforward, the foot link 34 will slide along the ramp 28 in a directiontoward the frame 12. As the foot link 34 moves in the forward direction,the second end 40 of the foot link is urged upward by the sliding link44. The frame link 56 will rotate in a circular, clock-wise fashion,causing the sliding link 44 to slide upward within the channel link 52and urging the second end of the foot link 34 upward, as shown in FIG.2.

Once the frame link 56 reaches a vertical top position and begins toproceed downward in a clockwise fashion, the retainer 54 secured to thesliding link 44 will travel downward along the channel, urging thesecond end 40 of the foot link 34 downward as well. Accordingly, as thefoot link 34 travels forward and backward in a reciprocating fashion, itis also alternating between angled upward and angled downward positions.The reciprocation and changes in inclination cause platform 42 to mimica natural running motion of a user.

Meanwhile, through this path of motion the swing arms are alsoreciprocating. In the position of FIG. 1, the swing arm 68 issubstantially in a rearward position. Depending on the length of theswing arm link 62, the swing arm 68 may be in a vertical position orslightly forward or backward at this point in the cycle. As shown, it isgenerally vertical.

As the foot link 34 travels forward, the frame link 56 initially causesthe swing arm link 62 to move in a forward direction, urging the lowerend 72 of the swing arm 68 in a forward direction as well. The swing arm68 thus pivots about the pivotal connection to the frame 12 such thatthe swing arm 68 and handle 70 are urged backward while the foot link 34moves forward. The handle 70 is generally at its most rearward positionwhen the frame link 56 is at the top of the cycle, as generally shown inFIG. 2.

Once the frame link 56 reaches the top of the cycle as in FIG. 2 andbegins to travel further in a clockwise direction, the swing arm 68 willbegin its motion in the opposite direction, pivoting in a forwardmotion. Accordingly, as the foot link 34 reciprocates forward andbackward, the swing arm 68 is reciprocating in a manner that issubstantially 180 degrees out of phase, backward and forward.

Although not specifically shown, many of the linkages can be varied inlength or adjustable by the user in order to tailor the running orwalking motion to the particular stride of the user.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated anddescribed, as noted above, many changes can be made without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope ofthe invention is not limited by the disclosure of the preferredembodiment. Instead, the invention should be determined entirely byreference to the claims that follow.

1. An apparatus for exercising comprising: a foot link having first andsecond ends and a foot platform for receiving a user's foot; a means forsupporting the foot link; a sliding link having first and second ends,the sliding link securing proximate its first end to the foot linkproximate the second end of the foot link; a frame; a guide secured tothe frame and translationally engaging the sliding link proximate thesecond end of the sliding link; and a flywheel rotatably mounted to theframe, the sliding link eccentrically engaging the flywheel between thefirst and second ends of the sliding link.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1,further comprising a resisting means coupled to the flywheel to resistrotation of the flywheel.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, furthercomprising a frame link fixedly secured to the flywheel, and wherein thesliding link secures to the frame link.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1,further comprising a swing-arm linkage coupled to frame link.
 5. Theapparatus of claim 4, wherein the swing-arm linkage comprises a handlepivotably secured to the frame and a transfer link coupling the handleto the frame link.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the swing-armlinkage comprises upper and lower portions, the upper portion comprisinga grip positioned to be held in the hand of the user when the user isstanding on the platform.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the upperportion is adjustable with respect to the lower portion.
 8. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the supporting means is a ramp and whereinthe foot link further comprises a wheel secured proximate the first endthereof, the wheel resting on the ramp.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the guide is angled with respect to a support surface.
 10. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the supporting means slopes upwardly andthe guide slopes downwardly.
 11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein theflywheel is a first flywheel, the apparatus further comprising a secondflywheel coupled to the first flywheel to be rotated thereby.
 12. Theapparatus of claim 11, further comprising a resistance means engaged toat least one of the first and second flywheels to resist motion thereof13. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a belt coupling thefirst flywheel to the second flywheel.
 14. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the guide adjustably secures to the frame.